Very long bow....

[Ashley Long]

Hey guys,

Im trying some french bows on approval for a while and the one Im liking the most at the moment is probably the longest french bow Ive ever come across, the total length (including the screw) is about 30". Have any over you guys come across such long bows? I really like this bow, its spicaccto and balance are very good indeed and it makes my bass roar!

[dchan]

I've come across one that belongs to a bassist in the orchestra that I'm in. Not only is it the longest French bow that I've come, it's also the heaviest. I think it's a Hietbrink bow made from South American ironwood.

The bow is balanced pretty well, draws a good and huge tone (due to the weight, I think), and is in general a good bow. The only major problem is that it is so friggin heavy. That makes the bow somewhat cumbersome for those looking for speed and agility.

I came to two conclusions why it was so long: either because more length allowed for more wood to be used (to make the bow as heavy as possible), or that this wood is so stiff that the bow needs to be that long (for flexibility and tone, I guess). Of course, this is purely speculation.

[robobass]

If it works, then go for it. I have a very long heavy bow stamped "Tourte" for which I paid $1000 in NY in the 90's. It had a rather small head, which I got shimmed by Justin Kagen, and that fixed the balance problems. I don't use it on my own instruments, but I play a rather stiff modern Poellmann in my orchestra and I have discovered that the bow is ideal for that instrument, although it took some getting used to.
Robobass

[Silversorcerer]

My German bow is 30 inches, but two of those are the button. Still, it is longer than most others I've seen. It's a brazilwood. I like longer. You can play longer notes.

[jsbarber]

Originally Posted by Ashley Long

Hey guys,
the total length (including the screw) is about 30".

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if is it customary to measure bows end-end, or to measure the length of the string?

Jim

[Silversorcerer]

Originally Posted by jsbarber

Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if is it customary to measure bows end-end, or to measure the length of the string?

Jim

The business part of it is the hair. As long as one compares French to French and German to German, most of the other parts don't vary a whole lot. I don't know if there is a standard way to measure. The balance point is probably more important than the overall length.

[Blazemourne]

Anyone know where I can find German bows that are 30 inches or longer?

[Silversorcerer]

I got my bow from Gollihur Music. I don't think 30 inches is that rare if we are talking about the total length of a German bow with a long button. 30 inches of hair is something I've never seen.

[Wyzird05]

The Arcus bows are pretty long. I measured the Arcus at 28" button to tip and the Codabow Revelation at 24" button to tip. PM me if you want to know where you can find a German Arcus.